Combination cotton thinning and cultivating machine



Feb. 28, 1928. v 1,661,122

J. KING COMBINATION COTTON THINNING AND CULTIVATING MACHINE Filed Aril1926 2 Shana-Sheet 1 Feb. 2a, 1928. 1,661,122

J. KING COMBINATION COTTON THINNING AND CULTIVATING MACHINE Filed April9. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 28, 1928.

JAMES KING, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

COMBINATION COTTON ir rmn' neann CULTIVATING MACHI E.

Application filed April 9, 1926. Serial No. 100,881.

It is a purpose of the present invention to provide an improved machineof this character including a frame with a driven shaft thereon having acotton topper r thinning member suspended thereon and driven thereby,whereby the shank of said member may have a rotary motion, the shank ofthe member having a crank for cooperation with the frame of the machineto impart a lateral swinging movement to the topper or thinning member,so that as it rotates it may have a shearing action on the tops of thecottonplants.

Another purpose is to provide the machine with cultivating devices,'suchas plows, for operation on opposite sides of the row of cotton plants,the standards of the plows being adjustable due to universal joints, soas to position the plows relative to each other and to the row of cottonplants. In other words, the plows may bemoved toward each other, oroneor the other moved independently with relation to the opposite one, sothat in using a machine of this construction, the soil on opposite sidesof the row of cotton plants may be turned and cultivated withsubstantial efficiency.

Still another purpose is to provide'cultivators in advance of the cottontopper or thinner and operating on opposite sides of the row of plants.V

A further purpose is to provide a machine of this kind which may bedriven by motive power on the frame, or operated through the medium ofdraft animals.

The invention comprises further features and combinations of parts ashereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed. 7' i i In thedrawings:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective, showing,

the improved combination cotton thinner and cultivating machineconstructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same. Figure 3 is avertical transversesectional view online 3-3 of Figure 1, more clearly showing thecooperation of the crank formed in the shank of the topper with the sideof the frame to impart lateral movements to the topper or thinningmemberwhich'is in the form of a blade. 1

Figure 4 is a view in side elevation, with the supporting driving wheelsshown in the previous figures omitted, illustrating how the machinecanbe drawn by draft animals.

Referring to the drawings, "1 designates a frame which comprises sidebars 2 which are relatively braced by the arched plate 3, and mountedupon the sides of the frame 1 is a. casing 4 having therein aconventional type of internal combustion motor (not shown). Thismotor-carries a shaftti with a sprocket wheel 6 thereon, the motor alsoincluding a second shaft 7 which projects from the casing and is mountedin an upstanding bearin 8, with a collar 9 on the shaft to preventlongitudinal movement of the shaft in one direction Mounted upon theshaft 7 is a hanger 10 in the form of a boxing comprising opposed plates11 between which the shaft 7 and the shank 12 of the thinnin or cottontopping blade 13 are mounted. in extension tongue 14 is secured at 15between the ends 16 of the side bars of the framef This extension tongueprotrudes forwardly a substantial distance and carries on opposite sidesthe shanks 17 of the shovels 18. These shovels operate upon oppositesides of the row of cotton plants, tending to initiallybreak up andcultivate the soil. The shanks 17 are reinforced by the braces 20 whichare secured to the opposite sides of the extension tongue and are inturn connected. to the shanks of the shovels, thereby preventing anyrearward movement of the shanks during the action of the shovels onopposite sides of the row of plants.

The extreme end of the extension tongue has a coupling plate 21connected to it and to which a clevis 29. is operatively connected forthe purpose of attaching draft animals Swivelly supported at 24;

to the machine. on the coupling plate is the upper end of an arched axle25 carrying forward sup.- porting wheels 26. The shank 12 of thethinning blade or topper 13 has a crank 27 formed therein which is sopositioned rela tive to the side of the extension tongue that when theshank rotates, this crank will automatically engage and cause a lateralswinging movement to be imparted to the shank of the blade or thinner.The boxing 10 on the shaft 7 carries interiorly the spiral gears 28 and29 which cause a rotary movement to be imparted to the shank 12throughthe medium of the shaft 7 which is operated by the motor which ishoused by a casing 4.

A sprocket chain 31 engages about the sprocket 6 and in turn passesaround a sprocket 32 carried by the axle or shaft 33 on which supportingdrive wheels 34 are mpunted, the axle 83 being journaled in dependingbearings 35 carried by the side bars of the frame 1. lhe side bars ofthe frame 1 extend a short distance rearwardly of the casing or housingof the motor and connected to them by means of universal joints 37 areplow standards 38 carrying plows 39 which operate on opposite sides of arow of plants.

Handles 40 are carried by the plow standards and are adapted to bemanipulated by an operator who uses the seat 41. By actuating thehandles as may be desired, the plow standards may be raised or lowered,thereby raising or lowering the plows, or the plows may be moved towardand from each other relative to the opposite sides of the row of cottonplants. The plow standards have rearwardly positioned foot engagingelements 42, so that the operator may exert pressure thereon and keepthe plows steady to their work.

When the supporting wheels and the sprockets are dispensed with, as inFigure 4, the plow standards remain stationary for the reason that theymay form integral parts of the side of the frame 1, otherwise thenrachine operates the same as it does in Figures 1 and 2. l I

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed is:

1. A combined cotton chopper and cult-ivator, comprising a frame and adriven shaft on the frame, a cotton chopper implement with a shankpivotally suspended from and operatively connected to the shaft forrotating the shank, and means to impart lateral movements to the shankof said implement.

'2. A combined cotton chopper and cultivator comprising a frame and adriven shaft on the frame, a cotton chopper implement with a shankpivotally suspended from and opcratively connected to the shaft forrotating the shank,. and means to impart lateral movements to the shankof said implement, said means comprising a crank formed in the shank ofthe cotton topping implement and designed for cooperation against theside of theframe to impart a lateral swinging movement to the shank anddue to the shank being rotated, the blade or implement has a shearingaction on the tops of the plants.

In testimony whereof he affixes his signature 7 JAMES KING.

